Tuesday, April 29, 2014

WUFC will convert to syndicated talk radio formatGoing, going, but not quite gone is Yahoo Radio Boston/WUFC 1510 radio will fade away as sports talker at the end of May. It was announced today that the station's current owner Blackstrap Broadcasting has entered into a local marketing agreement with Wallis Communications to manage and operate the station. The current syndicated content from Yahoo Sports Radio will convert to mostly libertarian talk and personality-drive talk on June 1st.Here's the press release with initial talk line-up and schedule :

Personality Radio Coming to Boston

WUFC 1510 AM is set to be the New Home to Popular Talk Radio Personalities Glenn Beck, Jay Mohr, Alex Jones and Dr. K.

Boston, MA-April 28, 2014: Wallis Communications has announced plans to take over WUFC 1510 AM, a 50,000 watt radio station serving the Boston media market. When the new station launches on June 1st, WUFC 1510 AM will become home to a mix of libertarian and personality driven radio shows featuring some of the biggest names in the industry like Glenn Beck, Jay Mohr, Alex Jones and The Dr. K Show! The station will also air sports news and games from Boston College and Boston University.

Wallis Communications will operate and manage WUFC under an LMA with current licensee, Blackstrap Broadcasting pending FCC approval of a license transfer.The station’s 50,000-watt signal will reach listeners as far north as Canada.Programming will also be heard via a live web stream and on mobile device apps such as Tune In Radio. The tentative program lineup will feature several widely popular talk shows including The Dr. K Show in the Morning (from 6 am – 9 am), The Glenn Beck Program (9 am – 12 pm), Jay Mohr Program (12 pm – 3 pm) and Info Wars with Alex Jones (Overnight) Additional programming details will be announced before the station debuts in June.

Wallis Communications plans to give talk radio a new twist by challenging the content boundaries and offering a free and open exchange of ideas. “Where Liberty Has a Voice” will be the station’s new positioning statement with the goal of bringing a fresh and unique perspective to listeners. Each show will deliver extraordinary content, offering viewpoints on important topics like politics, world affairs and much more.

“We are excited to move into Boston,” said Kevin J. Wallis PhD, CEO of Wallis Communications. “We have made a huge name for ourselves in the Washington DC market with our takeover of WILC 900 AM”.Wallis Communications is working toward acquiring additional stations throughout the United States in the coming months.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Kiss 108's morning Matty receives a contract extensionClear Channel Media+Entertainment Boston announced that legendary morning host Matt Siegel has extended his current contractthrough 2018, effective immediately. Siegel, 64, is the host of the "Matty in the Morning" show on WXKS 107.9/Kiss 108. Siegel has been with Kiss since 1980 and became its morning host in January 1981. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) recognized Siegel in 2001 and 2009 with the Marconi Award's Major Market Radio Personality of the Year award.From station's press release :"After having both competed against Matty and been on the same team, I know what a great personality and asset Matty is to Kiss 108. He is an unbelievable talent and I am very happy that Matt will continue to entertain Kiss 108 listeners in Boston for many years to come." - CCME Bosotn Market President Alan Chartrand

"Matty has been at the center of Kiss 108's success for more than 30 years and his ability to entertain and connect with Boston radio listeners is unmatched. Mornings in Boston simply wouldn't be the same without Matty on Kiss 108." - Dylan Sprague, Vice President of Programming, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Boston. "I am thrilled he is extending his run. Matty is a true Boston radio legend and we are excited to extend our relationship with him," - Tom McConnell, Executive Vice President of Operations, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment."My wonderful love story with the city of Boston continues." - Matt Siegel.BRW Notebook : Congratulations to the Winners : In the large-market radio grouping, WGBH 89.7/Boston Public Radio WBZ/"NewsRadio 1030" and WBUR 90.9 received honors in the prestigious 2014 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). WBZ was also recognized with “Overall Excellence” award. The regional awards were announced this week by the RTDNA which has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. All award winners are listed here.Rocking for the Earth : The 21st annual Radio 92.9 EarthFest will take place at the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell on Saturday, May 17 from 10am - 5pm. The family-friendly event will feature performances from Neon Trees, the Wailers, Smallpools, Morning Parade. More information can be found here.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Lost 45's have gone missingThe Lost 45's are going to be hard to find on local radio dial after host Barry Scott had aired his last show on WROR 105.7 a week ago(Apr.13). Boston's classic hits station has been home for the long-running local retro music radio program playing Top 40 hits from the 60's, 70's and 80's since September 2012(BRW 8/21/12). But the short-lived relationship has apparently ended after station's management decided that the weekly show wasn't meshing well with its Greatest Hits format, with a main focus on the 60's, 70's and 80's. Ironically, "Lost 45's" played a large number of those great hits, had great ratings, a strong listener support and loyal advertisers.Scott's songs range from Sean Cassidy to Chic, and all are singles that had made it to the Top 40 or, at least, Top 100. The "classic hits" of 'ROR, on the other hand, are mostly off of classic albums by classic artists in the 60's, 70s and 80's and are a bit more rock-leaning, not so much pop-oriented. In addition, Lost 45's playlist has been skewing a bit younger with its playlist for the past few years. In contrast, WROR's typical playlist rotates about four songs an hour from the 60's and early 70's decade where as Lost 45's has actually been down to one 60's song per hour. Scott had also added all 80's titles, even some select charting tracks from 1990 under the guise they were recorded in 1989.In addition to digging up old songs, he has aired some 800 interviews with plenty of relics like Bangles, Richard Marx, Expose, Lisa Lisa, Belinda Carlisle, Tears for Fears etc.Scott would love to peddle it elsewhere locally, but this likely puts an end to 28+ year run on Boston's commercial FM radio, since no one else in the city fits format-wise. Lost 45's remains in syndication on over 25 stations across the country. In addition, it's hosted at its longtime digital address -- www.lost45.com where it has aired on demand 24/7 since 1999. There you can hear every show from 2010-2014, as well as each new weekly show, “The Lost 45 of the Day” and classic shows. There is also a newsletter to find out the latest info on shows, concerts, music news and appearances.Lost 45's has aired on Boston's commercial radio dial almost continuously since 1985. It has run on stations that are still around and some that are no longer in existence :WZLX 100.7(September 1985-February 1992) WBOS 92.9(April 1992-May 1993)WBMX 98.5(May 1993-July 1997)WEGQ/Eagle 93.7(July 1997-April 1999) WROR 105.7 (May 2001-December 2001) WODS 103.3 (December 2001-June 2012) WROR 105.7 (September 2012-April 2013)BRW Notebook :Executive turntable : Clear Channel has announced that Alan Chartrand will become the Market President for Boston cluster overseeing the operations and programming of WXKS/Kiss 108, WJMN/JAMN 94.5, WEDX/Evolution 101.7, and WKOX/MIA 1430 stations. Chartrand who previously served as Vice President of Sales for Clear Channel's Boston cluster, has more than two decades of management experience at various Boston media outlets including being the owner and founder of WJMN and its format. He replaces Mary Menna who exits after three years in that role.Movers and shakers : Cumulus Media has announced the appointment of Worcester/Boston radio pro Chuck Perks as its program Director and midday host of classic hits WWFX 100.1 FM “The Pike” in Worcester. Perks has been working for Cumulus Worcester in a part-time capacity, both on and off air, at WXLO 104.5, WORC 98.9 and 100.1 FM/The Pike”, prior to being brought on full time. He previously worked as Hub Headlines personality for the night show on Boston's 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ-FM and headlines reporter on the Boston Bruins Radio Network. He was also Production Director for Entercom Boston's sports talker WEEI 93.7 from 2000-2008, during which time he also worked weekends for sister station Star 93.7/WQSX for three years. Perks began his radio career in Worcester at WFTQ 1440.And I ammmmmmmm outta here : Longtime Boston host , Michael Graham is headed south to Cumulus Atlanta cluster to be new talkshow host at All News 106.7 from 9 to noon. His final day on New England Talk Network and Boston Herald Radio will be April 25. Graham hosted the daily talk show, The Natural Truth on defunct talker WTKK 96.9 from 2005 to 2012. He launched regionally syndicated show on New England Talk Network in February 2013 with WBNW 1120 in Needham as his flagship. The station now plans replace him with syndicated Glenn Beck show.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Rita Cary let go by the RiverRita Cary,a steady and positive voice on Boston radio for the past decade has been silenced. The morning disc jockey has been fired from her job at Haverhill's WXRV/92.5 The River/"Boston's Independent Radio", effective immediately.Cary has been at the adult album alternative station for 10 years, including the past 4 1/2 as its morning DJ. Canadian native, she graduated the University of Western Ontario with a bachelor's in journalism and pursued that career for years, in Texas and then locally in Maine and New Hampshire, including a stint at the Portsmouth Herald.She got into radio by chance thru a casual conversation at a party. Her first gig was the overnight shift at the River. After a few years of weekend work and hosting the evening time slot, she landed in the morning drive at the River in October 2009. In an interview with the Globe, Cary said her firing came about becausethe station's management wanted her to talk less between songs. She worked her last shift on March 25th. Earlier today, the station officially let her know she was being let go. Cary posted the news on herTwitter account.As for Cary's replacement, the station has named Dana Marshall as the River's new morning show host. Marshall has been filling in the mornings since March 27th. She worked at the River from 2000 to 2006 in a variety of roles including DJ, music director and program director. She left the station in late October 2006 and joined crosstown rival WBOS 92.9 in January 2007 as its music director/midday personality. She was named WBOS' program director when the station changed over to the current retro-alternative jockless format in January 2008, however, was then let go a year later due to corporate budget cuts and consolidation of roles.(BRW 1/29/09). Marshall came back to the River in March 2012 as host of Sunday morning's "Brunch By The River" when she replaced Lisa Garvey who is now at WUMB 91.9.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

WBZwins Peabody Award for Boston
Marathon bombings coverage

WBZ1030 and sister stationWBZ-TV received one of 27 George Foster
Peabody Awards for the coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings a year ago. The
awards, announced today by the University of Georgia College of Journalism and
Mass Communication in Athens, are among the most prestigious in broadcasting
industry.WBZwas honored for its“wide-ranging, enterprising,
non-sensational” coverage of the Boston Marathon bombings. The station was
praised for becoming“crucial
sources not just to their city but to a stunned nation.”

BOSTON, MA – April 2, 2014 - CBS Boston’sWBZ-TV News andWBZNewsRadio1030 are honored to receive a 2013
George Foster Peabody Award for overall excellence for
combined coverage of the Boston Marathon Bombings. The 2013 Peabody
Award recipients are determined b the University of Georgia’s Grady College of
Journalism and Mass Communications (release attached). In awards
material,WBZ-TV’s
andWBZNewsRadio’s coverage is described as
follows:

“Out in force to cover the annual marathon, bothWBZ-TV andNewsradio1030 had a journalistic advantage when
the bombs detonated. Neither gave it up as their reporters spent hour
after hour on the air providing wide-ranging, enterprising, non-sensational
coverage of the casualties, the suspects and the intense,
nerve-wracking manhunt. They become crucial sources not just to
their city but to a stunned nation.”

The awards will be given out at the 73rd annual Peabody
Award ceremony on Monday, May 19 in New York.

About CBS Boston’sWBZ-TV
andWBZNewsRadio:

Boston’sWBZ-TV
and sister-station myTV38 (WSBK-TV) are part of CBS Television
Stations, a division of CBS Corporation. For more, go to www.cbsboston.com, like
us onFacebookat CBS Boston and
follow us on Twitter @CBSBoston. WBZNewsRadiois owned and operated by CBS RADIO,
one of the largest major-market radio operators in the United States. A
division of CBS Corporation, CBS RADIO operates 126 radio stations, the
majority of which are in the nation’s top 50 markets. CBS RADIO also owns
and operates Boston’s 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM), the flagship station of the
Boston Bruins, the Boston Celtics, and the New England Patriots;WBMX-FM MIX 104.1;WODS-FM 103.3 AMP Radio;
andWZLX-FM 100.7
Boston’s Classic Rock.

# # #

BRWNotebook :

If it's broken, fix it :Sports talkerWEEI93.7
is gone back to a winning formula by installing a new afternoon drive-time team
which consists of former midday hosts - Dale Arnold with Michael Holley.
"Dale and Holley" is now officially replaces a disastrous "Salk
and Holley" which mercifully ended last month after a beyond-unbearable
1-year run.(BRW 3/12).

The original Dale and Holley pairing ran from 2005-2011 in the
midday slot, before management idiotically broke up the duo as part of a
ratings war with rival 98.5 FM “The Sports Hub's”(BRW 2/15/11). Arnold was relegated to mostly weekend
and fill-in role while Holley was shifted to co-host the "Big Show"
with Glenn "Big O" Ordway.

The Boston Globe was thefirst to reportthat
the temporary "Dale and Holley" reunion tour would likely take a
full-time residency at 93.7. Yesterday(4/1), Arnold confirmed the "Dale
and Holley 2" with atweet.

Reunion Tour :Glenn Ordway announced he's hired former WEEI's former program director Jason Wolfe as Chief Content Officer for his new venture Sportstalkboston.com. Wolfe spent 22 years at WEEI in Boston before the company let him go last August. Ordway, of course, has launched his new multi-platform effort "Big Show Unfiltered" back on March 17. There are some whispers that the show may land somewhere on the local dial shortly.

What a Fool Believes:
WROR 105.7's morning drive time duo of "Loren and Wally" had their
morning listeners scrambling trying to understand why the station renamed
itself as"Samba 105.7"which
featured regular Classic Hits playlist with Spanish language content
in-between. The station ran a recorded announcement in English stating that the
station is complying with the new mandate from the Department of USWTF which
required them to broadcast a minimum of 77.9% of programming in Spanish to
accommodate the new SAP radio guidelines. The announcement also mentioned that
the station posted the instructions on how to disable the SAP feature on
www.wror.com/sapwtf. It's unknown how many WROR listeners had actually bought into the
spoof.

The complaint bureau :The Committee for
Community Access, a local public interest media advocacy umbrella organization,
filed Petitions to Deny Renewal of the licenses held by WGBH Educational
Foundation and WCRB 99.5 with the Federal Communications Commission, Washington
D.C. on March 4.

Massachusetts radio stations have a 10-year FCC renewal cycle and
2014 is the year for all radio stations in the state to renew their licenses
with the FCC.

CCA is requesting that the trustees of WGBH Educational
Foundation restore full time music programming on the high power, clear signal
facility of WGBH 89.7. As you recall, WGBH began transition to news/public
affairs programming in December 2009. Its classical programming was moved to
WCRB 99.5. More information on CCA ishere.